TNAG-2051-FCO40-2922-Meeting-between-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreig-1990 — Page 21

CONFIDENTIAL

State raised the subject with Chinese Foreign Minister

Qian Qichen in the margins of UNGA on 28 September. Both

the Secretary of State and Lord Caithness tackled Vice

Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei on the question during the

latter's recent visit to London.

4.

At JLG XVI the Chinese side suggested that in order to make progress on this issue we would have to supply details

of air routes and traffic rights. This is confidential and

commercially sensitive information contained in the

Confidential Memorandum of Understanding (CMU) between Hong Kong and the relevant third country. Hong Kong is presently engaged in a policy review on ASAS which will consider the potential damage of supplying this information to the

Chinese, and possible compromises. In the meantime we

continue to take the line that disclosure of CMUS to the

Chinese would be an unacceptable breach of Hong Kong's

confidential agreement with aviation partners.

5.

Recent telegrams from UKREP JLG indicate that the

Chinese are sticking to this firm line on ASAS. Other

sources however suggest that progress will soon be made. Mr Galsworthy suggests that CAAC may have been promised

"one last go" before the Chinese side concedes. We are

therefore continuing to reject their request in reasoned

terms.

Hong Kong Department

30 November 1990

CAMAEE/2

CONFIDENTIAL